Canada signs second agreement to help Russia dismantle nuclear submarines

News Release

April 26, 2005 No. 72 Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced the signing of a second agreement for $32 million to assist Russia in the dismantlement of its decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines. The initiative is part of Canada’s pledge to contribute up to $1 billion over 10 years, under the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. “Our dismantlement assistance continues successfully to address proliferation and the environmental risks associated with the spent nuclear fuel of submarines from Russia’s Northern Fleet,” said Mr. Pettigrew. “This initiative is a concrete expression of Canada’s international security and non-proliferation agenda.” Russia currently has 49 retired nuclear submarines in the Barents Sea region awaiting disposal. Canada’s contribution will be used to assist in towing eight Victor Class submarines to the Zvezdochka shipyard and the subsequent de-fuelling of four, as well as the full dismantlement of three of those eight submarines. The remaining submarines will be dismantled under future agreements. Canada’s previous $24.4 million agreement, which was announced in August 2004, covered the de-fuelling and dismantling of three Victor class submarines. De-fuelling of the three submarines has been completed. The first submarine has been fully dismantled and the second is more than half-completed. The third submarine will be berthed in dry dock in early May in preparation for dismantlement. In all, Canada’s Global Partnership Program expects to dismantle 12 nuclear-powered submarines over four years, at a total cost of approximately $116 million. Canada is also working through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to ensure that the spent nuclear fuel removed from the submarines is safely secured and stored. Our assistance for submarine dismantlement is made possible by a bilateral agreement signed at the June 2004 G8 Sea Island summit. This agreement provides a framework that governs cooperation between Canada and Russia on Global Partnership projects. Other countries also involved in submarine dismantlement efforts are the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan and Germany. Additional information on Canada’s Global Partnership Program can be found at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/global_partnership/menu-en.asp. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Sébastien Théberge Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada (613) 995-1874 http://www.international.gc.ca

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2016-12-15

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Canada signs second agreement to help Russia dismantle nuclear submarines

News Release

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